A close look at Outback communities

Wake Up Time!

The multi billion dollar Royalties Maze and legal racism are in the way of finding solutions for the massive problems in remote communities.

Have you ever wondered why the billions of dollars so far spent have not closed the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians?

Are you interested in the effects of the racial distinctions existing in Australia and in the foreshadowed changes in the Australian Constitution?

And do you wonder how the descendants of the oldest living culture on earth could live in a more dignified way than currently?

Journalist and author Jaap Vogel takes you on a journey through outback Australia including Alice Springs, Uluru and Kakadu. Vivid authentic stories are complemented by relevant information which frame and enlighten the different topics approached in this book, relating to the often subhuman conditions in the remote Aboriginal communities.

Wake up Time is available in a full colour print edition of 157 pages. You can buy Wake Up Time in print for AU$ 19.90 incl. postage (for Australia). E-book version only on request. Wake Up Time is also for sale at InHouse Publishing, CapanArt Gallery on Tamborine Mountain (QLD), the Red Kangaroo bookshop in Alice Springs.

To get a first impression, you can first read the thirty pages for free:

The stories in Wake Up Time are based on my observations gathered during extensive travels through the outback, in particular during a journey in 2013 to Alice Springs, Uluru, Willowra, Ali Curung and Kakadu.

In addition, I analysed a selection of relevant documents ranging from newspaper articles to official annual reports to complement the observations.
The main question of this book is: why have the billions of dollars spent on Aboriginal issues not closed the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and what should be done about this?

Wake Up Time is the story of a journey through some remote areas of the Northern Territory, as well as an analysis of the confronting, sad, scary and puzzling life of Indigenous Australians in remote communities.

Wake Up Time questions whether two major issues are in the way of finding solutions to the problems in remote communities.

The first is the system of compensations and royalties payments by mining companies. Wake Up Time shows not only that it exists, but also the enormous size of it. Billions of dollars are involved.The federal government, aboriginal organisations and mining corporations play a central role in these payments and in the equitable distribution of the funds. Despite its size, this system has not lead to acceptable outcomes on ground by any measure.

The second is the question of whether the present legal distinction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is beneficial. This policy appears to be a hangover from the days of the White Australia policy, something still ingrained in legislation that is counterproductive for all Australians. Has our appreciation and support for an ancient and very much alive Indigenous culture led us to an acceptance of inappropriate legal distinctions and exceptions regarding race?

Finally, Wake Up Time questions the implications of these to issues on the proposed changes to the Australian Constitution, to be decided in a referendum due in 2016.

If the narrative illuminates some of these matters then the title of this book will be justified, indicating that it is indeed time to wake up!

Jaap Vogel

Buy the printed full colour, 157 pages version of Wake Up Time now!

Printed edition Wake Up Time

TestimonialsYour report provides a valuable insight into the operational culture that exists in remote regions across Australia.Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 16/4/2015

A brilliant observation. Well done. Great stuff.Alan Jones, 2GB, 17/3/2015

If you are interested in Aboriginal affairs in Australia, then take a look at this book. It’s a well researched, engaging analysis of Indigenous Australians in living in the outback. It raises very interesting and thought provoking questions. Many times I found myself thinking “how is that possible?” or “why is that so?”Nancy at Goodreads 30/4/2015

It is a good read, presenting both sides of the story in an uncompromising but fair view. I hope that it lights a fire under many people.Gordon Agent, NSW

I enjoyed reading your book very much – in particular your narrative style is an easy read with lots of first hand conversations with the local indigenous groups. You provide enough material and compelling arguments to at least get a person thinking.Phil Reilly

Fabulous book. The situation with the Aboriginals is very sad and none of us are happy. Julia Sawyer, Brisbane

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Testimonials

Your report provides a valuable insight into the operational culture that exists in remote regions across Australia.Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 16/4/2015

A brilliant observation. Well done. Great stuff.Alan Jones, 2GB, 17/3/2015

If you are interested in Aboriginal affairs in Australia, then take a look at this book. It's a well researched, engaging analysis of Indigenous Australians in living in the outback. It raises very interesting and thought provoking questions. Many times I found myself thinking "how is that possible?" or "why is that so?"Nancy at Goodreads

Excellent book clearly explaining the issues. Should be compulsory reading in schools and by ALL politiciansArtessa Wildwood

Any one who thinks that they understand how the indigenous money -go-round works, needs to read this book. I have always had an understanding of the mechanism, but the cold hard facts, in print and well referenced by Jaap, have thrown me. We do need to wake up.Abigail Chaloupka of Tamborine Dreaming

It is a good read, presenting both sides of the story in an uncompromising but fair view. I hope that it lights a fire under many people.Gordon Agent, NSW

Fabulous book. The situation with the Aboriginals is very sad and none of us are happy. Julia Sawyer, Brisbane

I enjoyed reading your book very much - in particular your narrative style is an easy read with lots of first hand conversations with the local indigenous groups. You provide enough material and compelling arguments to at least get a person thinking.Phil Reilly